Baseboard heater outlet as soure for 240v

Long as your load is with in the limits of the circuit and does not need a neutral, sure.

Yes. For 240, you don't need a neutral. Aside from that, some installations include the white wire, but it is left unconnected at both the panel and the baseboard.

But - there's always a but - you can't just willy-nilly add a

240 volt receptacle. You have to remove the heater. There are (or were in the past) some baseboard heaters that include a 240V receptacle and a double pole double throw center off switch. Without the switch, a receptacle can ba a physical part of the baseboard gheater, but must be powered from a separate circuit. See NEC article 210.52

Ed

*That white wire will frequently be one of the 240V legs, Usually a black, white, and bare wire are present. *Also, you will frequently find a 120V receptacle in a 240V heater to satisfy the outlet requirements for the room.

Thanks all:

Probably should have mentioned what I wanted to do. Want to add a 400 or

1000watt Metal Halide light to a solarium. Unfortunately the 120v outlet would be pushed to capacity. I wanted to run the ballast off the 240v supplied to the baseboard heater which is never used. I would remove the heater and add the proper box and receptacle.

The schematic on the ballast has a tap for 240 v but the return is labelled "Common" which I assume is a neutral. Is this still ok.

ps. The wiring to the baseboard is 3 wire, two black and a ground.

Thanks aga>> Hello:

It's fine. With the heater removed you can use the conductors for the receptacle.

Ed

The white wire is required to be re-identified when it is used as a non-grounded conductor. Usually that is done by wrapping it (in the j-box) with black or red tape. If you find the white wire is one of the 240 volt legs, it's a code violation. See NEC articles 200.6 and 200.7. If you find it frequently, someone is worse than careless. He/she either doesn't know what is required, or doesn't give a damn.

Ed